Boston Celtics two-way rookie Tacko Fall is among the leaders in NBA All-Star voting in the first fan returns released on Thursday afternoon by the league.
The 7-foot-5 center checked in sixth on the first fan returns with 110,269 votes, topping notable players like Bam Adebayo and Celtics teammate Gordon Hayward. Fall has made just three appearances this season with the Celtics after spending the majority of the season in the G League with the Maine Red Claws.
Fall recently missed some time due to a knee injury but has played well as of late for the Red Claws. In 11 games played, Fall is averaging 14.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. He has recorded seven double-doubles this season, including three straight after tallying 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks on Tuesday.
Dallas' Luka Dončić and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo lead the NBA and their respective conferences in the first fan returns of NBA All-Star Voting. Dončić tops Antetokounmpo by 599 votes for No. 1 among all players. pic.twitter.com/Z1aXQva3AZ
— Cody Taylor (@CodyTaylorNBA) January 2, 2020
Voting for the All-Star Game opened up on Christmas Day while it will run through Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Fans account for 50% of the vote to determine the 10 starters for the game, which will take place in Chicago on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
All current NBA players and a media panel each account for 25% of the vote, with every voter completing one full ballot featuring two guards and three frontcourt players from each conference. The starters will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 23.
The reception for Fall in the All-Star fan voting likely isn’t a coincidence.
Since joining the Celtics, Fall has become one of the most popular players in the NBA due to his size and skillset on the court. Fall has often drawn standing ovations in arenas and has even garnered “M-V-P” chants in Boston.
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